Scrappy MAN United Beats Highly Spirited Coventry City On Penalties (2-4) To Scrape Into FA CUP Final


By Olopade Sakiru

Manchester United fans were kept on the edge of their seats in the last 20 minutes of the FA CUP Semi final clash against a championship side, Coventry City after the Red Devils threw away  3-0 lead and needed to rely on a mother luck to survive with a last-gasp winner.
Eric Ten Hag's men had a comfortable lead in the first half, showing a team with character, the United were up by two goals before the break and added the third goal early in the second half with goals from Scott Mc Tominay, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes until an astonishing and woeful collapse of their defense had almost cost them the FA CUP Final place.
No doubt, the centre- back injury crisis of the Red Devils played major role, forcing Casemiro to play in the centre - back as make shift was exploited by Coventry City.

Just barely 20 minutes to end the game, Ellis Simms opened scoring for the Blues before Callum O'Hare's deflected shot looped over Andre Onana and in the 95th minute, Haji Wright levelled it up from the penalty spot after Aaron Wan Bissaka's handball in the vital area.

However,  in 121st minute,what could have been a back breaking goal by Victor was ruled out by VAR for offside against Haji Wright in the build up that led to the disallowed goal.
In the penalty shoot out , Casemiro lost the first kick as Bradley Collins saved it but Andre Onana also denied O'Hare from converting his spot kick too while the Blues captain, Ben Sheaf, blazed over his kick and Hojilund fired in a fine penalty to send Manchester United to the FA CUP Final against arch rivals, Manchester City next month.
Manchester City had earlier in the first Semi final shown Chelsea the exit door to set up an epic FA CUP Final.

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